People & Partners

When did you start working with Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (GTCF)?

November 2023

Briefly describe what you do in your role with GTCF

As Philanthropy Advisor here at GTCF, my work focuses both on supporting existing Fund Advisors as well as building relationships with those considering creating a new fund with us. In addition, I will be building relationships with local financial advisors and estate attorneys to support their clients' philanthropic needs as well as connecting them to relationships and resources through our Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) network.

What is the most exciting part of your role with GTCF?

What excites me most about my role is the opportunity to be thinking about how our work today can impact our community now and well into the future. I've always been intrigued by the Iroquois notion that our actions today should focus on creating a sustainable world for seven generations to come. The heart and soul of every community foundation should be exactly that--creating impact today that will improve our community well beyond our individual lifetimes.

What other jobs or positions have you held?

I spent twenty years working in admissions for University of Puget Sound and Charles Wright Academy followed by several years in donor relations at MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation and Mary Bridge Children's Foundation. I also serve on the board of The ARK Institute of Learning, that serves students with learning differences and recently joined the board for the South Sound chapter of Association for Fundraising Professionals.

Outside of GTCF, what enjoyable activity do you engage in? What brings you joy?

My family is my primary hobby and I get great joy watching my kids participating in the things they love to do: basketball, volleyball, soccer, robotics, visual arts and more. When the weather's warm, you'll sometimes find me trying to hone my amateur carpenter skills or better yet, working in the treehouse I built in our back yard that was ostensibly "for the kids" (though I've spent more time up there than all four of them combined). In addition, you'll often find me cheering on our local sports teams (Mariners, Seahawks, Rainiers and Kraken). Someday I hope to finish the children's book I started writing that is probably too weird to ever be published.

What activity, place, or event do you recommend other people check out in Pierce County?

Walks along the waterfront, exploring Downtown Tacoma or hitting a Tacoma Rainiers baseball game. Or better yet, hiking or camping and taking in the many beautiful sites we get to enjoy here in our local paradise. 2023 marked my first go at Monkeyshines. Though our hunt was unsuccessful, I'm determined to make it a regular family adventure.

What is the most inspiring book that you have read and why?

I don't know that I could name a single favorite, but I tend to gravitate towards fantasy and sci fi. A few that come to mind are The Princess Bride, Game of Thrones (still waiting on the final book in the series and hoping it ends better than the HBO version) and Ender's Game.